MONTREAL - Former Saginaw Spirit forward Tom Pyatt was among the players who were not given a qualifying offer by the Montreal Canadiens Monday, making Pyatt a free agent.

Pyatt played four seasons with the Spirit, from 2003 to 2007, culminating with an 81-point season in 2006-07. While with the Spirit, Pyatt helped lead Canada to two gold medals in the World Junior Championships.

Pyatt has played the last two seasons with Montreal. In 101 games over two seasons, Pyatt has 12 points.

The 24-year-old is the son of former NHL player Nelson Pyatt and the brother of Phoenix Coyotes forward Taylor Pyatt.

montrealgazette.com: The decision not to qualify Pyatt is a minor surprise. He has been successful as a penalty-killer and would have been a relative bargain at $550,000.

General manager Pierre Gauthier attempted to trade Pouliot and Pyatt at the draft, but there were no takers.